PBS Documentary Spotlights Service Animals

“Through a Dog’s Eyes,” a primetime PBS documentary, follows the journey that recipients go through as they meet their new best friend — a Canine Assistants dog.

For hundreds of people with disabilities, service animals are a vital lifeline — helping individuals gain or reclaim independence, giving them more freedom, and demonstrating an exceptional bond of companionship.

A primetime PBS documentary,Through a Dog’s Eyes, shines the spotlight on these inspiring service animals, following the life-changing journey of recipients as they go through the heartwarming and sometimes difficult process of receiving and being matched with a service dog.

Jennifer Arnold, founder of one of the nation’s largest service dog organizations, Canine Assistants, shows her unique teaching methods, giving viewers an intimate look at the canine-recipient matching process.

The documentary, narrated by Neil Patrick Harris and funded by Milk-Bone, premiered earlier this year to such acclaim that PBS has scheduled a rare repeat airing. Mark your calendar for Wednesday, September 8 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT (check local listings) to learn more about these inspiring stories:

Bryson Casey, 30, served in Iraq as a captain with the National Guard. Upon his return home to Kansas City, Missouri, Bryson suffered a debilitating injury in a car accident, and is now a quadriplegic. Will Wagner, Bryson’s Canine Assistants dog, be up to the task of providing him with companionship, as well as helping to navigate the simple tasks of daily life?

Aiden, 6, lives in Denver, Colorado. Aiden was born with cerebral palsy and spends most of his time in a wheelchair. Aiden hopes that his dog Nala will help him at school with routine tasks such as picking up pencils, as well as offer silent support in social situations. Will Nala’s presence help break down barriers and allows other children to feel more comfortable around Aiden?

Destiny, 11, lives in La Vergne, Tennessee. Destiny and her dog, Salsa, immediately fell in love with each other during Canine Assistants’ training camp in November. Suffering from a rare form of epilepsy, Destiny has constant low-level seizures around the clock. Will Salsa have the ability to alert Destiny of impending seizures, providing comfort not just to Destiny, but to her family? Her parents are hoping to offer their daughter a measure of freedom she has never before experienced.

Twins, Chase & Connor, 7, live in Largo, Florida. The twins both have a form of cerebral palsy known as spastic diplegia, which affects the muscles of the lower body. Both boys hope their Canine Assistants dogs will help with everyday tasks and be companions. But will Chase realize his dream of one day walking with the support of his dog Oakley?

The documentary also follows the drama as recipients are matched with their canine companions and as they learn how to work with their new partners. “This film will change the way people think about their own dogs,” said Naomi S. Boak, Executive Producer. “Through a Dog’s Eyes shows the importance of the human-canine bond and how, when fostered, that bond can grow into a beautiful, life-changing relationship.”